55 Fall Picks from IRL Fashion Buyers
The best of the season as curated by people who literally shop for a living.
It's late. You might have just returned from after-work drinks or a Tinder date that required considerable liquid courage. Or, more likely, you've been binge-watching Netflix with a half-bottle of wine on a week night and suddenly, while staring up at Claire Underwood/Robin Wright Penn's miraculously line-free face, it dawns on you that you too would like to look like that at 48. Cue a click over to Sephora.com or your beauty retailer of choice and suddenly, you're down the k-hole of online beauty reviews and near-obsessive forums. And then the questions start: do I really need to start exclusively air-drying my hair with old t-shirts? Who are these women who hoard Starbucks napkins in their purse in lieu of blotting papers and should I become one? Do I really need to drop $200 on an eye cream?
brogue or culotte as culled in the same way by someone equally authoritative? We mean, you do realize that for the buyers who stock the shelves of your usual digital haunts literally shop for a living, right?
Okay, fine. So there is a little data and math involved. But the point remains: when it comes to the pieces that will last you seasons to come, buyers are the ones able to separate the velour tracksuits of yesteryear from the accessories that will appreciate in value (they're investments, right?) and are really here to stay. And given that they've been gleaning the best of the best of the market for months, chances are they know a thing or two, and have the spreadsheet to back it all up, right? If that's not ample justification for late-night online purchases, we don't know what is. Herein, the buyers curating our favorite shopping destinations on the pieces we should add to our every-growing shopping lists. Get your click-to-buy fingers ready.
NET-A-PORTER
Sasha Sarokin, Buying Manager
Eddie Harrop’s weekend bag makes it feel unique. Mules are in the spotlight this season, and I’m loving Aquazurra’s desk-to-dark suede slingback pumps as they pair beautifully with everything.”
MODA OPERANDI
Lizzie Leventhal, General Merchandising Manager
"I'm a sucker for a statement piece and this Rochas coat is one of my favorite jackets of the season. Even though I may not own it (yet!), I've already planned my outfits around it. This Ellery jacket is the perfect transition piece, the oh-so-perfect plunging lapel and peplum detail evoke uber chic modernity."
BERGDORF GOODMAN
April Hennig, Vice President, Contemporary 5F
"The illustrious bucket bag is now updated in back-pack form! The cropped wide leg pant is the stand out new silhouette of the season, and this wool version from ALC is an essential staple. Étoile was one of my favorite contemporary collections of the season. This cozy poncho is polished way to do patchwork grunge."
BROWN'S FASHION
Laura Larbalestier, Buying Director
"Brogues are becoming a serious wardrobe stable and these ones [below] from Simone Rocha are my new obsession. The pink is just the right amount of girly. And [this Christopher Kane] is the best dress to party in for fall!"
FORTY FIVE TEN
Dareth Trenary, Director of Buying
"[This Thakoon coat is] the piece I’m dying for… fashion, but functional! [And these earrings are] a classic Eddie Borgo silhouette, done in a neutral ivory exclusively for Forty Five Ten. They're the chicest accessory that always gets noticed."
THE WEBSTER
Laure Heriard Dubrueil, Owner
Leave it to the best-dressed girl in all of Miami to put together a fall wardrobe with five pieces that are somehow at once indescribably cool and street, but also glossy and pulled-together enough that they wouldn't look out of place on the likes of Gaia Repossi. Case in point: the Givenchy Antigona that somehow feels fresh when updated in bright blue snakeskin, or the basketweave Proenza Schouler booties that are just as right for the office (disclaimer: we do work in a fashion office and cannot confirm or deny the delusions of this statement) as they do date night (again, disclaimer: we're also under the impression that Isabel Marant onesies are appropriate date attire).
SSENSE
Samantha Chea, Womenswear Buyer
“We love the minimalist update on the écolière outfit: refined and comforting, with a touch of the unexpected.”
STYLEBOP
Leila Yavari, Fashion Director
"Opulence is a key trend for fall, and Valentino’s embroidered secret garden dress lets you indulge. Consider it a fresh, feminine take on evening wear. My Velcro-strap Reebok high tops have been a wardrobe staple since I was 8-years-old. These Maison Martin Margiela optic white sneakers are a streamlined, modern iteration of a perennial favorite. Salvatore Ferragamo’s quilted handbags are perfect for day-to-night dressing, not to mention a must-have this season. I’ll typically pair one with a leather jacket and jeans look for feminine polish, plus the golf chain and small size also make it an elegant evening go-to."
MYTHERESA
Justin O'Shea, Buying Director
"It’s a mink jacket. Nothing else to say. Even Kurt Cobain would be freaking out for this! This Saint Laurent pair is the boot of the season! Low heel + black patent + slim shaft + knee high = BAD ASS."
KIRNA ZABETE
Sarah Easley and Beth Buccini, Owners
"The leather/python/suede trifecta [of this Proenza bag] gives this simple shape runway cred. The Barrie Landscape sweater is high luxury (cashmere yarn from Scotland! Produced by CHANEL factory!), yet in a humble, nostalgic print."
OPENING CEREMONY
Carol Song, Head Buyer
It kind of figures that head buyer for veritable cool-emporium Opening Ceremony, Carol Song, would be responsible for the kind of early-morning e-mail that results in a shopping spree. So what is Song forecasting (and buying herself) for fall? So-right-right-now lavender suede mules, and strapless denim dresses replete with Moschino logo detailing.
